The first solo flight is when a new aircraft pilot completes a takeoff, and usually a short flight and safe landing, by themselves. Flying such a flight is a milestone known as soloing. Being solo pilot of an aircraft is different from most other situations in that the pilot has not only to be able to fly and navigate the machine in a competent manner but they also have to be able to cope with unpredictable developments like mechanical failure, bad weather etc. on their own and without advice from other sources (most air traffic controllers are not pilots and may not be contactable anyway).
Requirements
Depending on the country, there may be a requirement for some minimum number of training hours to have been completed by the student pilot before they are allowed to solo. In most countries, it is assumed that such students will be familiar with (and may have to pass an examination on) the relevant air laws or regulations, and will have completed exercises in handling aircraft in normal conditions, and also what to do in the case of engine failure on takeoff, in flight, and before landing.
In the United States, for most aircraft, there is no FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) requirement for a minimum number of hours, but a student pilot certificate is required. Per FAR Part 61 SFAR 73 section 2, Robinson helicopters have a 20-hour requirement to solo. However, the regulations do require that a student pilot show competency in several specific skills to include, for example, the ability to forward slip.[1]
In practice, competence is mostly a judgment call of the Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) responsible for the student. Typically, it takes from 10 to 30 hours of flight time before a pilot has the instinctive feel of an aircraft to be safe flying solo in other than perfect (no wind) weather.
Soloing
In some cases, when the student is given permission to fly alone, the instructor directs the student to fly three circuits of the traffic pattern, each accompanied by a full-stop landing.[1] During the first circuit, the solo, the student's flight instructor may supervise the student's performance from the ground, paying close attention to the approach and landing. Some instructors keep a radio handy, if there is one in the aircraft, in case the student pilot should need assistance or advice.[1] When flying a glider the newly approved student may also make more than one tow the first day, though a single solo flight is adequate to earn the "A" badge as a glider pilot.[2]
Traditions
Various traditions or rites of passage have developed around "soloing", including drenching the student with water,[3] or cutting off the back of their shirt.[4]
With the end of your first solo flight the Instructor will cut off the tail of your shirt. The reason for this was back in the beginning of the American fight history there was no communication system like what we have today. The result of which would be the instructor would give you commands by tugging on the tail of your shirt. So make sure you wear something not too important. Afterwards, you and your instructor will sign it, the shirttail can also be decorated with the tail number or other things related to you or your training (Aero Guard Flight Training Center. 2019 .Solo Shirt Cutting: An Aviation Tradition).
External links
References
- 1 2 3 Namowitz, Dan (2007), "First solo follies", AOPA Flight Training, 19 (4): 43–44
- ↑ Badges & Records
- ↑ "Ramping up: Canadian flight schools take on the future". 30 January 2008.
A Moncton Flight College (MFC) student along with his instructor getting the traditional first solo cold water soaking on the ramp. The MFC tradition dictates that if the student is the instructor's first solo student, then the instructor also gets soaked.
- ↑ "High priorities: 16-year-old flies solo before driving solo". Gadsden Messenger. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
Bibliography
- High Flight Academy Admin, 2018. Shirt Cutting: A Tradition for First Solo Flights
- Blog post by High Flight Academy. https://www.highflightacademy.com/shirt-cutting-a-tradition-for-first-solo flights/#:~:text=Legend%20has%20it%20that%20this,back%20of%20the%20student's%20shirt.
- Aero Guard Flight Training Center. 2019 .Solo Shirt Cutting: An Aviation Tradition
- Blog post by Aero Guard Flight Training Center. https://www.flyaeroguard.com/blog/solo-shirt-cutting/
- Airplane Academy. 2023. Why Do They Cut Your Shirt Tail Off When You Solo?
- Set of blog like posts for things related to the First solo flight. https://airplaneacademy.com/why-do-they-cut-your-shirt-tail-off-when-you-solo/